Joanne Boland – Strange Empire

Q) What research did you do in relation to your character on “Strange Empire?”

A) I actually didn’t have much background. It was a really fast turnaround from when I auditioned from the role because I auditioned quite late. I put myself on tape because they were in Vancouver and I had a self tape request. I guess they were having a tricky time finding Morgan because it is a bit of a tricky role in a way. I guess finding the right person took a lot longer than they had anticipated. I think one of the casting directors told me a producer for another show that I auditioned for suggested they see me for the role. I think it was a week turnaround from when I put myself on tape to when I had to be in Vancouver. I think I got my offer on a Friday and had to be in Vancouver on a Tuesday. So, in terms of the amount of research for Morgan, I didn’t do too much. And I also wasn’t privy to what was going to happen with Morgan. There was only a couple of lines about her in the breakdown. It said she/he was a cowboy and falls for Rebecca. Aside from that, I really didn’t know anything. It was only a couple of pages of sides as well so there wasn’t many clues as to what was going to happen with Morgan.

Q) There is great cinematography to the show as well. Can you talk about how that can be seen as a character and the role it plays in the show as well?

A) It absolutely sets the feel. I think it is a new way of looking at the world, which I think many of the characters are creating. The way they look at it is different, through all of the characters’ eyes the world is seen differently. That was one of the first things when I began seeing the show shot that definitely took me back. I thought it was very photographic. The images are just so beautiful to look at. In terms of how it is shot, there is almost a supernatural feeling. It’s almost dream-like. I think it absolutely is almost another character in the show the way it is filmed and shot and just the pieces. With the image of the doll hanging in the tree, foreshadows things that are potentially to come.

Q) How would you describe Morgan’s sense of morality?

A) It’s interesting because in working with a lot of scripts and the different things Morgan touches upon, Morgan in many ways is very religious. That is interesting because Rebecca is very much about Science and Darwin’s theory. For Morgan, all that goes against everything that she knows to be true. That was a really exciting element to Morgan’s moral compass about what is right and what is not right. But in that time, what is right? You look at people getting killed and how is that justified? How is that okay? Is it okay? None of the characters are looked at in black and white. None of what they are doing is all right and none of what they are doing is all wrong. The people are complicated and flawed. And I love the complexity of the characters for that. The scripts are so good on the show and the writing is so good on the show that every time we would get a script you just can’t stop reading them. You think, “Okay, maybe this character is going to follow this path,” but the writers take it to a whole other level. The show is a wild ride, for sure!

Q) The scene where Morgan reveals bound breasts to Thomas was really powerful. What can you tease or share about a similar reveal to Rebecca?

A) In the episode that aired last week, I revealed myself to Rebecca. It was an interesting one to watch unfold. In her way, you see her shocked, but not necessarily judgmental. In my head, for Morgan (because there is such a connection between the two of them) wanting the love they feel for each other yet in that moment it feels like Morgan is disconnected with Rebecca. It’s a tricky one because I can’t reveal too much of what is coming up. It’s definitely that moment. When Laurie [Finstad-Knizhnik] was talking about the idea of Rebecca and Morgan it was more about two people who have this unbelievable connection with each other even though they may see the world in different ways.

Q) Morgan has referred to a relationship with Rebecca as “true love.” How does Morgan balance those romantic notions with the harsh reality of the Canadian Western time period?

A) As someone born as a woman and working their way as a man? It’s interesting because I worked with the writers in terms of the notion of being “two spirited.” It was in an earlier script, Pike (my uncle that teaches me how to grease my hair and teaches me to be the man I felt I am) was married to a woman who was a Black Foot. For Morgan, it’s the idea of two spirited people, really looking at the fact I felt I was born in the wrong body or that there was a piece of me that felt to be a man that this was a gift rather than something looked badly upon. I think in terms of Morgan’s confidence, I think it comes from there being an acceptance early on from my uncle. I actually didn’t know the idea of being two spirited before the show and it is such an amazing idea because this is before what we now know in prior colonization the existence of cross-gender roles. It’s amazing to look back on the acceptance of that. It isn’t considered a negative. It was considered a gift because you are carrying two spirits. I thought it was just fascinating!

Q) Were you excited to be playing someone on the LGBTQ spectrum?

A) Absolutely! What is also interesting that comes up in the show is this story of the people whose stories weren’t told. These are important, interesting stories that have shaped this country and who we are as people. It’s time to break out of the stereotypical roles you see of being in Westerns. One day on set the girls and I were talking about doing a show and growing up as an actor here you just hear from so many of my guy friends and even my husband that those have always been one of their dreams in their careers is to be in a Western. For me and some of the other girls we were saying that we never thought this was necessarily going to be possible. Now, you have this amazing opportunity where we get to experience that. My hope and dream is that kids or teenagers that are able to watch this show are able to say, “Wow! I see myself there.” That was one of the best parts of it for me.

Q) Is there hope to see more of Morgan coming up?

A) Yes! There is lots! It’s really exciting. I felt so blessed with the show, as I said, because I wasn’t really sure where Morgan was going. I knew because they were flying me up to Vancouver and relocating me that I would be up there for the season, but I wasn’t sure what that necessarily meant. I feel exceptionally fortunate that the arc Morgan has this season is really beautiful. One of my favorite things is that I was fortunate to be able to work with Melissa Farman who is hands down one of the best actors I have ever worked with. She is just spectacular! She is just fantastic as Rebecca. Any role, hands down, she will be brilliant in. She is just one of my favorite people. She is absolutely spectacular.

Q) Was there instant chemistry when you and Melissa began working together?

A) It’s funny enough that from day one we sort of had a connection with each other. We looked across the room when we were doing the read through and it was like BANG! That moment when I just kind of looked at her…She was sort of taken aback. We were really lucky, especially because of the amount of scenes and the intimacy of the scenes that we have, that it could have been a long summer. She is just absolutely lovely.

Q) You are a part of social media. How is it receiving the instant fan feedback that it provides?

A) It’s a really interesting thing because you live in these characters for a period of time. Finally, it’s out in this world, this thing you have created that no one really knows about. Then, BANG, it’s out in the world. I really find it interesting the way different audience members perceive the scene or how they take it or where they think it might go. I think it is an exciting time, especially on a show such as ours. It’s a complicated show. It’s not something that gives you all of the answers. I think people can have all kinds of different interpretations of what it means to them. With it being a Western genre, people have a set feeling. When you do something that veers off with a different aspect of it, it’s so interesting watching the reactions to that.

Q) Is there anything fans can do to help promote the show?

A) I think it is really word-of-mouth and just watching. I think we are starting to get fans in the states. I would really love to see the show kind of go elsewhere because I think it is a story about Canada that we should really proud of and I would love for people elsewhere in the world to know about it and know our history. It’s a history that has been uncovered and these are stories that have never been told before. It’s an interesting story that Canada is lawless. I think everyone kind of looks at us like we’re the nice nation.

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of “Strange Empire?”

A) Tune in! It’s a show that will really take you on a ride. Keep watching because you may think these stories are going one way and then BANG! They spin it on its head.